Check It Out: Cool titles perfect for hot summer days

In case you need a little help finding a refreshing read, I’ve compiled a brief list of frosty titles. And remember: Christmas is only five months away. If that little reminder doesn’t chill your soul, you better go get that ice pack.

• “Cool Waters: 50 Refreshing, Healthy, Homemade Thirst Quenchers,” by Brian Preston-Campbell: Water is essential to life. But let’s face it: plain water is, well, plain. Summer is a perfect time to fancy up that glass of H2O, and “Cool Waters” will help you to do just that. A sprig of this, a slice of that — yep, water never tasted so good.

• “Glaciers: The Politics of Ice,” by Jorge Daniel Taillant: Here is how GlacierHub, an organization devoted to “expanding and deepening the understanding of glaciers” describes this ice-focused title: “Taillant’s book provides the opportunity to read not only about a fascinating world of ice, but about the political maneuvering necessary to protect it.”

Glaciers need love, too.

• “Ice Pops!: 50 Delicious, Fresh and Fabulous Icy Treats,” by Cesar Roden and Nadia Roden: When it comes to frozen pops, I’m an Otter Pop girl all the way. But I’m willing to venture beyond Sir Isaac Lime and Alexander the Grape. If you’re ready for a upgrade, check out “Ice Pops!” and experience frozen treats with lemon, ginger, watermelon, sherry, raisins and much much more.

• “Ice Road Truckers,” DVD distributed by Lionsgate Studio: This is what I know about driving on ice: don’t do it. But in some parts of the world there is no alternative. “Ice Road Truckers” is a series that airs on the History Channel, and for 10 seasons viewers have followed along as truck drivers maneuver big rigs on the ice-covered roads in remote Arctic territories. Not all seasons are available on DVD, but the library has a selection available for anyone wanting a white-knuckled ride.

• “Polar Dream: The First Solo Expedition by a Woman and Her Dog to the Magnetic North Pole,” by Helen Thayer: Brrrr — this amazing story is sure to give you goosebumps. Back in 1988, 50-year-old Helen Thayer skied and walked for 27 days to reach the magnetic North Pole, and her only companion was a dog named Charlie (who was trained by the Inuits to warn of approaching bears). Did she encounter bears? Oh, yes, she did — polar bears, more than once. This is just a guess on my part, but I think you’ll be feeling pretty grateful for the hot summer sun after you read “Polar Dream.”

• “Spectacular Nail Art: A Step-by-Step Guide to 35 Gorgeous Designs,” by Larit Levy: Polishing one’s nails isn’t really a heat-reducing activity; although if you’re sitting in front of a fan while applying the polish, that’s a pretty cool thing to do. My reason for including this title is that hot weather means exposed toes. Whether you’re wearing sandals or going barefoot, toenails will be visible, and this is not the time to scare away your neighbors with poorly maintained feet. Beautify those tootsies with nail art designs by Larit Levy, co-founder of a nail spa located in Tel Aviv.

• “Speed Kings: The 1932 Winter Olympics and the Fastest Men in the World,” by Andy Bull: The 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, are a mere seven months away. Don’t wait until December to get excited about bobsledding; do it now while it’s hot by checking out this compelling story of four American bobsledders who raced their way to a gold medal.